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MAAA STRATEGIC PLANNING EVENT
On December 16, 2017, about 30 alumni took part in the MAAA Strategic Planning Event,
held in the Ethno Complex “Macedonian Village” in Gorno Nerezi, Skopje. After the official
greeting from the president of MAAA, Dr.Mišo Dokmanović, the agenda for the day was set.
First, the Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Macedonia, Laura Brown,
shared her experience of working with other alumni organizations abroad and suggested
directions that MAAA should take to function and develop properly.
Then, the alumni worked on the improvement of MAAA’s objectives. Suggestions were
given and the text was altered and adjusted to best meet the mission statement and priorities
of the organization.
In the second part of the event, the alumni split in five committees and worked on
brainstorming activities and developing 6-month goals in 5 core areas of the work of MAAA: 1.
professional development, 2. networking and social activities, 3. international cooperation,
4. advocacy and 5. community outreach. The following suggestions were given:
Professional development
The goal of this committee was to
suggest professional development events that would be beneficial for MAAA members. So, first
they suggested that a database of members’ professional expertise is made so MAAA can have a
clear idea about what their needs are and would plan professional development events
accordingly.
However, up till then, it was suggested that several events were
organised: academic writing event (invite an expert who will train MAAA members to improve
their writing skills), project management workshop (the idea was to invite an expert who would
deliver a lecture on how to create (come up with an idea) and manage a project until its
completion and implementation), infographics training (the suggestion was to invite an expert
who would teach the core concepts that MAAA members would need to design rich, meaningful
infographics, including data visualization, planning and wireframing graphic), then another
training on financing, fundraising and grants was proposed (a lecture on how to manage
finances, how to raise funds and how to apply for grants), then, a training in creative
thinking (the idea here was to invite an expert who would teach MAAA members to develop the
mindset and skills needed to boost creative thinking, creativity and innovation at work and
other areas of their professional interest) and a training in ECO design (organize a lecture
by an expert who would teach MAAA members more about the approach of designing and using
products with special consideration for the environmental impacts of the product).
Finally, the committee also set a long-term goal to organize a conference in which MAAA
members would take part and share ideas by presenting in separate panels depending on their
professional expertise or interest: culture, science, politics etc.
Networking and social activities
The goal of the committee was
to initiate and establish networking and social activities within and out of MAAA. They
suggested several happy hour meetings which would focus on specific aspects of members
networking. For instance, it was suggested that a happy hour should be organized as a
contribution to the mini-conference on environmental challenges in the Republic of Macedonia
(planned for February), then, another happy hour, which would focus on submission of articles
for the MAAA Newsletter (for the March 2018 issue) and another one was planned for production
of alumni video stories. In May, the committee planned a happy hour which would focus on
members’ contributions to the debate on mentoring at the American corner and MAAA-MAME
(Macedonian Association of Medical Editors), and then, another one for June which would be
dedicated to submission of articles for the June 2018 MAAA newsletter issue and the second
MAAA workshop on strategic planning.
International cooperation
The goal of this committee was to give
suggestions for initiation and establishment of international cooperation with educational
institutions, businesses and NGOs associated with the US. It was suggested that in the first
two months of 2018 MAAA should identify and contact regional US alumni associations
(neighboring countries, Balkan countries and ENAM), American businesses (starting from the
American chamber of commerce in Macedonia, examples: Fx3X, New Mans), NGOs and other
organizations, associates with the US (e.g.: Macedonians in the US NGO, American corners,
NOVA, Peace Corps in Macedonia) and other alumni associations in Macedonia (e.g.: JICA – Japan
Macedonian Alumni Association). After contact is established, the plan is to initiate
potential ways of collaborations and to sign cooperation agreements. Then, it was suggested
that a networking event is organized for MAAA and all the previously identified American
businesses, NGOs and other institutions in March.
Finally, it was planned that
MAAA should organize an event (it could also be a conference, workshop, training or summer
school) on broad topics, ranging from improvement of education to design thinking or any other
topic that could be attractive for MAAA members, with a few American guests-participants (or
MAAA members, collaborators in and from the US). In addition, the committee suggested that
members should attend ENAM yearly conference and other regional American Alumni conferences,
or apply for regional project with other alumni associations.
Advocacy
This committee’s main goal was to recommend and suggest
particular policies of MAAA. So, the committee’s members suggested that a debate should be
organized on the topic "What each of us can do for our country?" paraphrasing John Kennedy's
inaugural address, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your
country". Then, they proposed a mini conference on environmental challenges in the Republic of
Macedonia, and two more debates on graded taxation and mentoring. Finally, they suggested that
another workshop on strategic planning should be organized in May or June.
Finally, it was planned that MAAA should organize an event (it could also be a
conference, workshop, training or summer school) on broad topics, ranging from improvement of
education to design thinking or any other topic that could be attractive for MAAA members,
with a few American guests-participants (or MAAA members, collaborators in and from the US).
In addition, the committee suggested that members should attend ENAM yearly conference and
other regional American Alumni conferences, or apply for regional project with other alumni
associations.
Community outreach
The community outreach committee’s main goal
was to come up with ideas and activities which will help MAAA reach out to others in the
community. The members of the committee suggested that MAAA should organize a “MAAA Open
Talks” event that could be happening at the American Corners once or twice a month and could
focus on selected topics, like ELT distance learning, leadership, mental health, fighting
bullying, whistleblower privacy, anti-corruption etc.
FAnother idea was to
organize a fundraiser for a “burning” social issue (e.g. gender equality). In addition, they
thought that some community service like a clean-up activity or recycling could also be
helpful, or that MAAA members could organize some outdoor activities like hiking with people
with disabilities, or promoting bicycle culture, or it could take advantage of some popular
events like the Skopje Marathon to raise awareness about certain social issues. Finally, at
the end of the event, Mr. Albion Abdulai, alumni coordinator from the US Embassy in Macedonia,
presented the funding opportunities for MAAA and its members.
Written by Zorica Trajkova
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